Bruise amelioration composition and method of use

ABSTRACT

A bruise amelioration composition that can be applied for one hour to an affected site, such as a bruise, contusion or blister, in the form of a gel, liquid or adhesive bandage. The composition includes at least 40% by weight of glycerin and at least 2% by weight of primrose oil. Preferably, the composition includes a fragrance, such as peach oil and marjoram and 1% to 10% by weight of vitamins A, C, D, E and K.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to topical compositions and, moreparticularly, to a bruise amelioration composition for speedy healingand reduction of discoloration of bruising skin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to use glycerin as a topical application in liquid form toreduce bruising and swelling in human skin. The glycerin preventsdiscoloration of a bruise and reduces swelling and the pain associatedwith swelling, if it is applied immediately to an affected area, and theaffected area is kept saturated for approximately one hour. It isfurther known to use this method of bruise amelioration on human skineven where the affected area is abraded. It is also known to useglycerin to reduce and/or eliminate blisters on human feet.

Nelson Homquist, MD, who we credit with developing this human bruiseamelioration method, theorized that glycerin is hydrophilic and isabsorbed into damaged tissue in advance of blood and other fluidproducts of ecchymosis. Where so absorbed, the glycerin serves todisplace such blood and other fluids and release them into the bloodstream thereby leaving the affected area clear (little or nodiscoloration characteristic of a bruise) with little swelling.

While this human bruise amelioration method (hereinafter, the HomquistBruise Treatment) is satisfactory, we nevertheless sought to improveupon both the speed and healing quality of the existing compound andmethod. Compounding glycerin with certain other ingredients (forexample, primrose oil) results in an improved bruise ameliorationcompound and method. Applying the composition in gel, liquid or creamform or in any topical time-release delivery system will speed thehealing process. We speculate that the Homquist Bruise Treatment, aswell as our improved bruise amelioration method, will achieve similarresults in mammals and other warm-blooded animals (such as birds).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, a bruise amelioration composition is provided comprising: atleast 40% by weight of glycerin and, at least 2% by weight of primroseoil. The composition also may include: 1% by weight of peach oil; traceamounts of marjoram; and, 1% to 10% by weight of vitamins A, C, D, E andK. The preferred composition contains 40-45% by weight of glycerin.

The present invention further contemplates forming the composition ingel or cream form or any topical time-release delivery system.

The present invention further contemplates forming the composition inliquid form.

The present invention further contemplates forming the compositioncarried in an bandage or other dressing to dispense and retain a dosageof the bruise amelioration composition at the affected site.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide abruise amelioration composition that is more effective in the treatmentof a bruise or contusion than previously available treatments.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition that is more effective on blisters thanpreviously available treatments.

In view of the above, a feature of the present invention is to provide abruise amelioration composition that is relatively simple tomanufacture.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition that is simple to use and apply to an affectedsite.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition that has a relatively short response time.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition that has a pleasant odor.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition that is effective for both humans and otheranimals.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition for humans and other warm-blooded animals ofall ages.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition which is comprised of non-toxic ingredients.

A still further feature of the present invention is to provide a bruiseamelioration composition that can be applied to all exterior parts ofthe human dermis.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome apparent from the description of the example given herein and theappended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE

Referring now to the present invention, the bruise ameliorationcomposition is intended to be applied topically to an affected skinsite, contusion site or bruise site (hereinafter referred to as the“affected site”). A contusion is an injury, such as without limitationfrom a blow with or from a blunt instrument, blunt article or hand, inwhich the subsurface dermal tissue is injured but the dermis is notbroken. The affected site can also include blisters, open cuts andabrasions.

In this example, the formula for the bruise amelioration composition isset forth in the table below.

TABLE Ingredient % by Weight Glycerin 40-45% Primrose Oil 2 Peach Oil 1Marjoram trace amt. Vitamins A, C, D, E and K 2

The above ingredients are combined at room temperature. A gel, liquid orcream form, or topical time-release form, of the composition may be madeas is known in the art. In fact, any delivery system known to topicallytreat a bruise, contusion or blister can be used. While not wishing tobe bound by theory, peach oil, a natural fruit oil which is an excellentsource of natural vitamin C, is carried into the dermal tissue withglycerin where it is absorbed into the cells. This absorption speeds thehealing process. Primrose oil softens the skin and also containsnaturally occurring vitamins. The oils add a pleasing scent, especiallywhen added with marjoram. Marjoram is an herb which has been used forbruise amelioration. Vitamins A, C, D, E and K each promote andaccelerate the healing of damaged tissue. We speculate, as did Dr.Homquist, that the glycerin displaces blood and other fluids of anaffected site and releases them into the blood stream thereby leavingthe affected area clear (little or no discoloration characteristic of abruise) with little swelling.

In lieu of peach oil and/or marjoram, another fragrance may besubstituted (including, for example, shea butter, lavender, olive oiland other naturally occurring oils and fragrances).

The method of using the bruise amelioration composition includesapplying the composition to the affected site as soon as possible afterthe injury, for a duration of about one hour. We speculate, as did Dr.Homquist, that it is important for the application of glycerin topreempt the natural process of ecchymosis. Our experience hasdemonstrated that the optimal duration of treatment is about one hourwhen commenced promptly after injury.

In gel, liquid or cream form, the bruise amelioration composition isviscous, so that when applied, the composition will tend to remainadhered to the affected site. The composition (gel, liquid or creamform) will keep the affected site moist and leach into the injuredsubsurface dermal tissue of the affected site. The composition shouldremain on the affected site for at least about one hour.

The bruise amelioration composition described herein may be carried in abandage or dressing (including adhesive bandages, patches, hydrogelbandages or island dressings) that can be affixed to the affected areaof skin to retain the composition in contact with the affected area. Thedosage of the bruise amelioration composition carried by the bandage ordressing may be in the form of a gel, liquid or cream. The bandage ordressing may be made available in different sizes to accommodate variousaffected site sizes.

In liquid form, the bruise amelioration composition can be applied undera bandage or adhesive bandage by saturating a pad of the bandage oradhesive bandage to be applied to the affected site with thecomposition. For small impacts or blisters, the liquid form of thebruise amelioration composition can be applied to a cotton ball or gauzepad and held in direct contact with the affected site for at least onehour.

The embodiment of the bruise amelioration composition and methoddescribed herein in detail, for exemplary purposes, is subject to manydifferent variations in structure, design, application and methodology.Many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope ofthe inventive concepts taught herein, and many modifications may be madein the embodiment detailed herein in accordance with the descriptiverequirements of the law. Accordingly, it will be understood that thedescription of this embodiment is not intended to limit the invention,but is intended to cover all modifications falling within the spirit andscope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

1. A bruise amelioration composition comprising at least 40% by weightof glycerin and at least 2% by weight of primrose oil.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in gel form.
 3. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in cream form.
 4. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein the composition is in liquid form. 5.The composition of claim 1, further comprising no more than about 1% byweight of peach oil and a trace amount of marjoram.
 6. The compositionof claim 1, further comprising from 1% to 10% by weight of at least oneingredient selected from the group consisting of vitamins A, C, D, E andK.
 7. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a fragrancenaturally rich in vitamins.
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein thecomposition is carried by an adhesive bandage or patch form to dispensea dosage of the bruise amelioration composition to an affected site. 9.A bruise amelioration composition comprising 40% to 45% by weight ofglycerin, 2% by weight of primrose oil, 1% by weight of peach oil, atrace amount of marjoram and 1% to 10% by weight of at least oneingredient selected from the group consisting of vitamins A, C, D, E andK.
 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition is in gelform.
 11. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition is incream form.
 12. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition isin liquid form.
 13. The composition of claim 9, wherein the compositionis carried by an adhesive bandage or patch to dispense a dosage of thebruise amelioration composition to an affected site.
 14. A method oftreating a skin contusion comprising the steps of: a. applying acompound of at least 45% by weight of glycerin and 2% by weight ofprimrose oil to said skin contusion; b. maintaining said compound onsaid skin contusion for about one hour.
 15. The method of claim 14wherein step (a) occurs immediately after said skin contusion arises.16. A bruise amelioration composition comprising 40 to 45% by weight ofglycerin, 2% by weight of an oil rich in vitamin C and at least 1% byweight of an ingredient selected from the group consisting of peach oil,marjoram, shea butter, lavender and olive oil.
 17. The composition ofclaim 16, wherein the composition is in gel form.
 18. The composition ofclaim 16, wherein the composition is in cream form.
 19. The compositionof claim 16, wherein the composition is in liquid form.
 20. Thecomposition of claim 16, wherein the composition is carried by anadhesive bandage or patch to dispense a dosage of the bruiseamelioration composition to an affected site.
 21. The method of treatinga skin contusion comprising the steps of: a. applying a compound of40-45% by weight of glycerin and 2% by weight of an oil rich in vitaminC to said skin contusion; and b. maintaining said compound on said skincontusion for about one hour.
 22. The method of claim 21 wherein step(a) occurs immediately after said skin contusion arises.